My big one is that they need to stop asking why I applied for their company. The real answer is I want a new job, and I blasted out a hundred applications. I didn’t choose your company specifically.
My big one is that they need to stop asking why I applied for their company. The real answer is I want a new job, and I blasted out a hundred applications. I didn’t choose your company specifically.
I think OP is frustrated with the we’re-both-bullshitting-each-other-and-we-both-know-it thing. Even if a candidate doesn’t think they’re a good fit, they’re not going to come out and say it. And if the candidate asks a question about work culture at the company, the interviewer is going to give the best possible answer, even though it’s probably bullshit. So we all have to lie through our teeth and say things like “it’s always been my dream to work here” (even though I didn’t know the company existed a month ago) even though we all know what’s really going on.
Being able to be honest–really, truly honest, about more than just pay expectations–is a privilege that you only get when you’re at a senior level (and sometimes not even then).
Saying something obviously fake like “it’s always been my dream to work here” is a bad idea, unless it’s a prestigious company where that could be true. The question is actually a good opportunity for the candidate to show off something if they want to, without being too awkward if they don’t.
You can say you’ve done research into the company online and are impressed by the work-life balance/leadership/worker loyalty/innovation. Sincere interest is not only flattering, it also makes you look thorough and driven. You can say you were recommended to apply by someone you know who has a connection. You can also give them some idea of what you are expecting, which can potentially save time if it’s not actually what they are offering. I had a friend get redirected to applying to a better position than what had been listed like this.
And if you truly are not a good fit, you can actually address that your previous experience doesn’t directly apply by saying something like “I’m looking for a change” rather than trying to dance around it for the entire interview. If your interviewer has any familiarity with the role, you won’t be able to trick them into thinking unrelated experience makes you well-qualified. And when that’s the case, acknowledging it early makes it much less awkward by establishing expectations appropriately. Basically, you have to be careful to limit your lies to things you can actually sell.
I lucked out on my last interview. I could honestly say that not only is it a job I would love to have, but I was uniquely qualified to do it (“uniquely” is probably overstating it, but the job duties lined up 100% with my experience and interests). The only thing I couldn’t say is who the hell the company was because it’s a startup, but I have never been able to articulate so clearly that I’m perfect for a job and it is perfect for me.
I have always been able to talk myself up to be a good fit for a role, but honestly it’s normally just “I have built lots of business software. You are, in fact, a business.”